The 12 Different Types of Bathroom Floor Tiles -Pros and Cons

Floor-Tile

There’s something comforting about having a gorgeous bathroom. However, bathroom design has restrictions due to the necessity to deal with plenty of water and the ability to clean it deeply getting rid of germs, bacteria and other unpleasant bathroom accumulations.

This is why carpet in the bathroom gives most people the creeps. You can’t completely clean carpet and while that’s acceptable in a bedroom, it’s unacceptable in a bathroom.

Therefore, of all rooms in a house, bathroom design MUST incorporate the practical and the aesthetic in equal doses; arguably, the practical should win.

Practical bathroom design includes materials that can deal with plenty of water and steam and also be easily and deeply cleaned.

Accordingly, tile is an extremely common floor and wall bathroom material (although there are some good tile alternatives for bathroom showers). Tile repels water and is easy to clean with powerful cleaners to kill germs, bacteria, mold and other nastiness.

But, there isn’t just one type of tile. There are many options. This article sets out the most popular types of tile for bathrooms giving you an idea as to your options.

Tile Considerations

Selecting a tile for your bathroom floor is a big deal. Aspects to consider include:

To help you pick the tiles for your bath, here are the 10 most popular types of bathroom tiles.

1. Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile is a type of tile has a wide range of selection, from color, sizes, shapes to finishes and texture.

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You can have the rock and wood texture which is perfect for a cozy themed bathroom. Others may want a pure wood texture tiles for their bathroom to achieve a nature themed, that will look like using the same wall tiles on the floor. These kind of tiles are not easy to break, easy maintenance and cost effective.

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2. Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta is an old-fashioned type of tiles. Terracotta tiles create a homely, cozy and delightful ambiance in your home. It is a strong surface tile flooring material, made from a discrete red or earthy hued clay. In maintenance concerns, you will need to fasten it with sealing agent every two years to prevent and protect the tiles from stains and damage.

Terracotta’s pros and cons similar to ceramic above. One additional pro is that terracotta tiles don’t get as cold as other ceramic options.

3. Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles are the most commonly used in bathrooms. It is easier to install and eco-friendly since it is reusable. It’s less prone to cracks and breaking. Mainly most people use it because of its low cost than the ceramic tiles.

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4. Stone Tiles

These tiles are becoming popular nowadays, made from marble, granite, limestone and slate. There are also different textures available in the market which includes sandblasted, etched, cleft and tumbled. Selection of colors is ranging from creams to blues, red and greens. However, stone tiles require more maintenance in terms of regular cleaning and this is more expensive that the other types of tiles.

a. Marble Tile 

Sophisticated and traditional, marble tile can be highly polished and comes in a range of sizes. Marble can be patterned or veined, adding interesting color to a bathroom.

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b. Granite Tiles

Attractive, durable and versatile, comes in many colors and styles. Granite is ideal for decorating rustic themed rooms. Perfect for baths since it is resistant to stains and moisture.

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c. Limestone Tiles

Limestones has a strong and solid surface which is ideal as a flooring material. The muted colors of limestone tiles give a clean and comfortable feel, which is perfect for a bathroom.

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5. Wood Floor 

Perfect for risk takers. Since it is wood, water easily penetrates the finish. It might stain and crack in the long run. These wood tiles must be carefully sealed around the perimeter of the bathroom at all joints. Even though these are a coating applied for additional protection, you shouldn’t use it behind the pedestal sink, toilet bowl or shower area.

6. Linoleum Floor Tiles

One of the well-suited material for a bathroom. These tiles are able to repel dust and dirt while retaining its color and texture. It’s easy to install and with a proper and neat application, this stuff looks great. Linoleum is remarkably versatile and will complement any decorating style. If you have an older home, for instance, linoleum flooring can match the original period design.

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If you have a contemporary home, you can have your linoleum flooring custom-cut to make a bold fashion statement.

7. Cork Tiles

Most perfect for children and elderly at home. These tiles provide a certain amount of protection in case, someone, accidentally trips and fall. Cork tile is more durable than hardwood flooring, naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. It’s easy to install and easy to clean, just sweep and mop.

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Cork’s sound dampening properties dramatically reduce echo and impact noise. Yet, it is a very soft material, any sharp object can cause a puncture. Chair and furniture legs can pierce and scrape the material.

To be able to protect it from water stains and damage, you need to seal it to create an invisible barrier over its surface. If this seal is not perfect, the flood will probably warp, discolor and ruined the material. High humidity can also cause the cork to curl or pump, which may lead to tiles popping out.

8. Glass Tiles (including Mosaic)

Glass tiles are now becoming popular because of the increasing number of options that are customized depending on your wants and needs. The different types, shades, and tints of the glasses attached to the wall will beautifully reflect on the lightning inside your bathroom.

Thus it has a variety of patterns to choose from depending on the styles and theme you want to apply. Multi-colored glasses are now available used in mosaic arts perfect for accenting bathrooms. Installed properly, this type of tile holds up well and if textured, it can resist slips. Glass tiles are resistant to stains and molds. They tend to show dirt easily so you will always know when it is time to clean. Easy to clean with just warm water and mop.

With this kind of tile, installation needs extra careful and are susceptible to scratches. Highly durable, yes, but dropping something heavy at a great height will lead to crack or chipping the tile.

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9. Metal Tile

Metal tiles are more commonly used for bathroom walls; however, we include it because it’s not impossible that it could be used for the floor (although very unlikely you’d go this route).

Fresh and brilliant, this material gives a sophisticated look for your walls and partitions. A variety of textures to choose from, stainless steel or different metallic tones and glass hues for broad appearance. You can also choose from simple smooth squares, classic patterned designs or something more artistic such as mosaic brushed.

These metal artistic design tiles can bring a texture perfect for modern backsplashes, bathrooms or even fireplaces. This type of material often uses in conjunction with another type of tiles.

10. Cement-Bodied Tile

Cement-bodied tile is a good choice for any area that has a lot of wear and tear such as a kitchen or bath. This tile is tough and durable. It will give years of service when properly installed and maintained.

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11. Slate Tiles

Slate is one of the toughest standard natural stone floor finish materials. It has a built-in rigidity that makes it resistant to cracks, scratches, breaks, and chips. It does have to be sealed against stains on a regular basis depending on the environment where it is installed, but if properly maintained these materials can last for decades, looking great without having to be removed or replaced.

The metamorphic rock we know as slate has become a popular floor tile option around the world. It features a fine grain and rich palette of colors that can easily accent any decor. From copper to red, navy to sage, and tan to black, it’s an excellent tile flooring choice for outdoor walkways and paths, as well as indoor rooms. Its diverse arrangement of colors makes slate tile a perfect accent for rustic, contemporary, modern or traditional baths.

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12. Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain is an excellent tile for your bathroom. Compared to traditional ceramic, it’s harder, more durable, more scratch resistant, absorbs less water, and is more stain resistant. While porcelain tile falls under the “ceramic family” it is different than ceramic tile.

Porcelain clay is kiln dried at higher temperatures than ceramic clay, which in-part explains its better performance as a bathroom floor tile compared to ceramic tile.

With respect to options, you can get porcelain tiles in many colors and to mimic other natural materials such as wood and stone. If you’re installing radiant heating, porcelain is perfectly suitable for that as well.

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So, why would anyone opt for ceramic?  Price. Porcelain is, on average, 62% more expensive than ceramic.

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